Want to teach English in the Philippines

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Z

ZippyDan

Platinum Member
Sep 28, 2001
2,141
1
81
Specifically Manila

There is a lot of info and resources on the web regarding teaching English in Korea or Japan, but I am finding it much harder to find info regarding the Philippines.

I'm wondering if anyone here can give me any pointers:

1. Places to find job listings
2. Typical requirements: I'd rather work at a respectable institution like for the government or a university, but I don't have a teaching degree, license, or certificate. Some guidance as to my options would be useful too.
3. Places to get certified, if that is necessary. I am currently in the Philippines now, so any local places I could get a certificate for cheap and quick would be great OR REPUTABLE ONLINE PLACES.

In case anyone is wondering: at first it would seem demand for English teachers in the Philippines wouldn't be very high (i'm sure it is not AS high) given the general competence most Filipinos have with English, but I found these factors do create demand:

1. Filipino English is not perfect, in grammar or pronunciation. There is still value to a native speaker
2. Almost all Filipino schooling is in Tagalog now, which means real English learning is eroding
3. Probably most importantly: lots of Koreans (and some Chinese and Japanese) are going to the Philippines to take English classes, presumably because the cost is much, much cheaper than in their first-world native lands. They are probably the number one consumers now for English lessons in the Philippines, and they generally demand native (preferably American) speakers.

P.S. I can also speak Spanish :)
 
Last edited:
shiner

shiner

Lifer
Jul 18, 2000
17,112
1
0
Step one: Buy some Kevlar

Step two: Talk to the State Department to see if they have any info. A friend of mine did this recently and is now teaching English somewhere in Bumfuck, China.
 
surfsatwerk

surfsatwerk

Lifer
Mar 6, 2008
10,110
5
81
Life is cheap down there. You would have to be certain your living situation would be safe and secure.
 
B

bfdd

Lifer
Feb 3, 2007
13,312
1
0
I have friends who are in Korea currently who have also taught in Vietnam. Check out eslcafe.com there's other things like TEFL you might want to look into as well. Not 100% sure what the requirements are for the Phillipines.
 
EagleKeeper

EagleKeeper

Discussion Club Moderator<br>Elite Member
Staff member
Oct 30, 2000
42,589
5
0
English is a solid second language in the PI.

That means there is a lot of demand for people to teach it
It also means that you have to be better than most who presently teach it.

Around the greater Manila area, it may be difficult to locate a position. English learning will be in more of a demand in the other islands where the metropolitan influence is less.

Best to check with the US Embassy to find out what they recommend.
 
El Guaraguao

El Guaraguao

Diamond Member
May 7, 2008
3,468
6
81
By posting this thread, you just admitted that your a single man in his mid 40s looking for some pussy. What better place then to pick up a desperate 16 looking for an american man foreign chick than the Philippines?

Hit us up with some pictures when you get back :D


....Teaching English in the Philippines....HA!

:awe:
 
Z

ZippyDan

Platinum Member
Sep 28, 2001
2,141
1
81
El Guaraguao said:
By posting this thread, you just admitted that your a single man in his mid 40s looking for some pussy. What better place then to pick up a desperate 16 looking for an american man foreign chick than the Philippines?

Hit us up with some pictures when you get back :D

....Teaching English in the Philippines....HA!

:awe:
Click to expand...

Actually, I'm in my 20's and I have no interest in picking up any random Filipina chicks. Actually, I already know one I like. :)
 
SKORPI0

SKORPI0

Lifer
Jan 18, 2000
18,500
2,426
136
ZippyDan said:
Specifically Manila

1. Filipino English is not perfect, in grammar or pronunciation. There is still value to a native speaker.
2. Almost all Filipino schooling is in Tagalog now, which means real English learning is eroding.

P.S. I can also speak Spanish :)
Click to expand...

You're right. When I grew up in Manila, English as spoken is different in how we pronounced some words. I had English classes in the grades and HS, amazingly no different on how it's taught here in the US. Books and lesson plans were US based. Lots of emphasis on sentence construction, grammar, pronunciation, spelling, etc. The country also has different dialects and was under the Spanish rule for about 333 years. But it depends on what rural area you find yourself at. I only learned Tagalog in my high school years, English my primary. Had to learn Spanish in HS and college since it was required. Note that some areas south of Manila (Mindanao area) speak a similar Spanish like dialect. If you're going to teach, you'll probably have better luck in the provinces. Now sure how Americans are treated there though. Best way is contact the U.S. Embassy for any job openings.

Spanish is also on demand, will that be an option for you to teach? You might do good in a college/university. Unfortunately I never retained much on what I learned. At that time I was just happy to get a passing grade.

Oh, word of advise... lots of girls will try to hook up with you just to get their foot here in the U.S. Be careful.
 
Sephire

Sephire

Golden Member
Feb 9, 2011
1,689
3
76
Almost all of them can communicate in English. Its the different local accents thats hard to understand. If you are in Manila you should be ok.

Careful "hooking up" with the locals. These days there is not much stigma on that conservative country on pre-marital sex. So its easy to get it.
 
I

iGas

Diamond Member
Feb 7, 2009
6,240
1
0
I'm not familiar with oversea teaching jobs, but my sis often use TESOL for work in Korea/Japan/Taiwan/Mainland China/Vietnam.
 
Rumpltzer

Rumpltzer

Diamond Member
Jun 7, 2003
4,815
33
91
Are you Caucasian? I'm asking because it matters in places like Taiwan and Korea. You can be German and not speak English and you'll still get a well-paying (by local standards) job over an American-born Chinese or ABK with an English teaching degree.


Why Manila? I mean, why are you there now?


In Taiwan, (if you're Caucasian) you'll get a job in one of the many English schools for children without problem even if you're a criminal and have no degree. Getting a job with the government or a university is going to require at least a masters. I'm guessing it's going to be the same in Korea... and these are the two places I'd want to be if I were teaching English overseas.

As far as the wimminz (or the ladyboys if you prefer), it's incredible. I've seen an overweight, bald Canadian guy in his late 30s with a good personality who couldn't handle all of what was being thrown his way.
 
A

Anonemous

Diamond Member
May 19, 2003
7,361
1
71
Haha, I knew someone who went to teach English in Japan. He met his wife there and he has a kid or two now.

/he was a caucasian otaku kinda guy
 
kitchiku

kitchiku

Senior member
Nov 6, 2009
277
1
81
English is one of the official languages of the country so almost everybody can speak it. If you want to teach though you can:
1. Be an english training instructor for call centers. The call center industry is booming in the Philippines, a lot of call centers are being put up so the demand for english proficiency training is high. Although Filipinos are fluent in English they are do not have american intonation. Maybe you can inquire with them.
2. You can teach Koreans. A lot of Koreans are moving to the country to learn english.
 
C

ChAoTiCpInOy

Diamond Member
Jun 24, 2006
6,442
1
81
The English taught in the Philippines is more of a formal nature than the one taught in US. Most Filipinos are very fluent in English.
 
B

bfdd

Lifer
Feb 3, 2007
13,312
1
0
Rumpltzer said:
Are you Caucasian? I'm asking because it matters in places like Taiwan and Korea. You can be German and not speak English and you'll still get a well-paying (by local standards) job over an American-born Chinese or ABK with an English teaching degree.


Why Manila? I mean, why are you there now?


In Taiwan, (if you're Caucasian) you'll get a job in one of the many English schools for children without problem even if you're a criminal and have no degree. Getting a job with the government or a university is going to require at least a masters. I'm guessing it's going to be the same in Korea... and these are the two places I'd want to be if I were teaching English overseas.

As far as the wimminz (or the ladyboys if you prefer), it's incredible. I've seen an overweight, bald Canadian guy in his late 30s with a good personality who couldn't handle all of what was being thrown his way.
Click to expand...

I heard China has been cracking down on who they allow in to teach English. Surprised it's so lax in Taiwan though.
 
P

pcslookout

Lifer
Mar 18, 2007
11,959
157
106
There a huge bad reason some or a large amount of people actually go to the Philippines. It is not just Americans though. So I am not going to judge or stereotype. It is Germans, Canadians, and many others. Better to call them just people though but it is true. I fear for you getting mixed up in the wrong thing. Good luck with that.

I remember the American workers, though like I said before I am not focusing just on a specific group that is just the only story you heard about with people doing bad things to the victims of the disaster, who went to Haiti after the earthquake to not exactly help. If it wasn't a group of people then I am sorry but I know it was one guy for sure. Either way it happen. I remember reading it and seeing it on the news.

Now make sure to get the plug adapters you need. Be careful with the police force there.
 
F

Farang

Lifer
Jul 7, 2003
10,913
3
0
Foreigners aren't needed to teach English in the Philippines. There are enough fluent speakers willing to work for much cheaper than a foreigner and without the hassle of a visa or relocation.

The exception are some resort-like schools that cater to Koreans and other foreigners in the Philippines. Summer camp type things. From what I can tell you aren't really seeing much of the country and are confined to a resort.

And Manila sucks. It is one of the worst cities in Southeast Asia and anyone visiting the Philippines is advised to stay there as short a time as possible.
 
Sephire

Sephire

Golden Member
Feb 9, 2011
1,689
3
76
Worst? I been to every capital city in the Southeast Asia. Its no different than the others. Except for the Jeepneys. Love to ride those and race.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom